Pratt's Pledge to Alice Springs Indigenous Team

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Pratt's Pledge to Alice Springs Indigenous Team

Post by Beaussie »

Good news for the further development of Indigenous footballers in the NT.
Pratt's $1m pledge for Aborigines
27 May 2007 Sunday Herald Sun
David Reed
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/ ... 42,00.html

CARLTON supremo Dick Pratt has pledged his financial clout to set up an indigenous team based in Alice Springs - in a bid to tackle social problems in the Northern Territory and keep more indigenous youngsters in the game.

Pratt met indigenous champion Michael Long this week with AFL representatives and was told $4 million was needed to set up a team which could eventually play in the SANFL.

It is understood he has pledged $1 million, the AFL would match such an amount and he would open his palatial Raheen home for a fundraiser to further the cause.

Pratt said the plan was to allow indigenous players to follow their dreams to the "elite level" without having to be deprived of an education or separated from their families.

"Our meeting was brief, but we talked about a lot of things," Pratt said.

"We talked about the establishment of an all indigenous team out of Alice Springs.

"We talked about a proposal to assist the cause of future indigenous footballers involving the Federal Government, the AFL and those in positions of influence in the wider community who are sympathetic to the problems faced by this nations's indigenous people."

Pratt also paid tribute to dual Carlton premiership player Syd Jackson at yesterday's president's lunch and said Long had been an outstanding trendsetter for his people.

"(Jackson) and Polly Farmer were wonderful ambassadors for Western Australia's Aboriginal community," Pratt said.

"More recently Michael Long paved the way for the Northern Territory's indigenous population, which also took great pride in the achievements of one of their own, in a game universally revered by people of all races, cultures and creeds."
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Post by Harold Nayda »

Beaussie wrote:
Good news for the further development of Indigenous footballers in the NT.
Pratt's $1m pledge for Aborigines
27 May 2007 Sunday Herald Sun
David Reed
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/ ... 42,00.html

CARLTON supremo Dick Pratt has pledged his financial clout to set up an indigenous team based in Alice Springs - in a bid to tackle social problems in the Northern Territory and keep more indigenous youngsters in the game.

Pratt met indigenous champion Michael Long this week with AFL representatives and was told $4 million was needed to set up a team which could eventually play in the SANFL.

It is understood he has pledged $1 million, the AFL would match such an amount and he would open his palatial Raheen home for a fundraiser to further the cause.

Pratt said the plan was to allow indigenous players to follow their dreams to the "elite level" without having to be deprived of an education or separated from their families.

"Our meeting was brief, but we talked about a lot of things," Pratt said.

"We talked about the establishment of an all indigenous team out of Alice Springs.

"We talked about a proposal to assist the cause of future indigenous footballers involving the Federal Government, the AFL and those in positions of influence in the wider community who are sympathetic to the problems faced by this nations's indigenous people."

Pratt also paid tribute to dual Carlton premiership player Syd Jackson at yesterday's president's lunch and said Long had been an outstanding trendsetter for his people.

"(Jackson) and Polly Farmer were wonderful ambassadors for Western Australia's Aboriginal community," Pratt said.

"More recently Michael Long paved the way for the Northern Territory's indigenous population, which also took great pride in the achievements of one of their own, in a game universally revered by people of all races, cultures and creeds."
Yes Michael Long has been good for some of the young Aboriginal Kids but I know he is doing a lot of good for the Top end but he must remember also that he has a foot in the door in TI Tree South of the Berrimah Line and his family relise he can not be every where at once but young Kenny Morton has had to go to Western Australia to train with the Clontaff College as other young people from here have had to leave to get something out of AFL or CAFL here in Alice Springs. Although another College is on the way I as an Elder in Central Australia have been involved for many years with teenagers and have grown up and have helped with their employment.I have respect for Michael and his work but I feel that the AFL people should seek out Aboriginal people to talk about their future. :roll: :salute:
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Post by Harold Nayda »

Once again it has come to my attention that a Centralian Youth representing the Waratha team in Darwin in the past couple of weeks has returned to Alice Springs with a bad taste in his mouth from the threats he has received from the spectators and was drafted to the Thunder side and was not given the chance to speak as most times they accepy the decision of the coach to leave the team and return to Alice Springs defeated. 1 Has the Coach able to let us know why cans and abuse to the young person taken place and he has not been able to answer his critics for his performance on the oval ? Or did he not live up to your expectations ? or was he taunting the spectators since he is only young and fighting for his position in the team. you wonder why ? there is problems in the AFL Thunder side I know he has talent and would have made it to the side but what happened to him and the side?. =D> =D> =D>
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Post by Grim Reaper »

I would support such a team if it came into the SANFL.
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Post by Harold Nayda »

I would support the idea of a team in South Australia AFL ,but do they, it could take time to get them there but I am afraid that the NT side could upset them, but the other idea is to put them in the AFL as the Eastern side of Australia is receiving a bit of help to establish other sides to play why not the Centre of Australia, come on AFL we do a lot of supporting to you as well and you could extend the arm of freindship to give us a go, Well!
Any way what about hte trouble from last years grandfinal up here in the centre eh! The top dog is resigning and has resigned eh! what about Justice for others and yes if he reads this I could have trouble too, but never mind did you read his thoughts about who is taking over CAAMA Radio and IMPARJA Television eh, Who did he invite to take over yes number one his Wife the Managing Director of the Company then then he says one of the Pioneers players who we feel after a stint in the Land Council eposide I do not feel strongly about this person taking over as we the Traditional owners of the TV company should think hard about who is nominated to these positions and , what distances you have to pay the person to travel so far away to attend Board Meetings, especially if it involves AFL sports on Nine, think about this people should you require any assistance to the article write back, and Congratulations to Selwyn Anderson for achieving his goal and wish on playing the MCG eh what a powerful young man in a midst, and Dion Neil at St Philips College reaching his best too for Soccer and Athletics,Young Daniel Measures too going at it with all his strength and doing Medicine in Melbourne, and another young person going to Adelaide University next year and doing Medicine young Robbie Charles from TI Tree just above Alice Springs our Youth are Proving to others they can do what they set out to do, Thanks for listening Bye for now Harold N. in Alice Springs. =D> :wink: #-o
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Post by TLPG »

Harold, as much as it appeals - there isn't enough money in NT so support a team in the AFL. The SANFL would be better.

Granted, last year's CAFL grand final post match histrionics didn't help - but that was dealt with and the main protagonists on both sides were sent packing (two were given life suspensions as I recall). Anyway, Alice footy changed this year with the Community Cup merging with the main comp. Don't know how it's going so far but it seems pretty competitive judging by the scores.
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Post by Harold Nayda »

Here we go again, I think you are pushing it a bit, why not AFL instead of SANFL lets stick to the AFL and give them a team to compete against and give the Men a chance to play against the AFL and this would prevoke a problem with Darwin people because we are always left out of things such as this, and even the Soccer mob get a chance of the elite playing up there in Darwin so come on lads give us a go or are you scared of Darwin who tends to ride over the Alice in everything, we need the chance for them to change their attitudes about us and they should then pour money into Alice for a change, because that is all we seem to be to them CHANGE!!!!!! this man who is putting money where his mouth is knows a good bargain when he sees it. come on support us you mob. Yeh well those who got dealt with in the tribunal know that the behaviour will not be tolerated and note not all players and spectators are like those Hoons..... Yours Harold :D :) :twisted:
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Post by Beaussie »

I'd love to one day see an NT team in the AFL. How good would they be, they love their footy up there. Sadly, like a team from TAS, the AFL feels (correctly I reckon) that the market is not big enough. Actually, same goes for Canberra.

Anyway, love your passion Harold. Any further developments re: entry in the SANFL?
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Post by Harold Nayda »

This is great Ihave someone agreeing with me about the AFL, but I am sorry to say that the AFL have money and if need then the Centrecorp which handle the finances for the Communities around the Centre here should dig deep and the Central Land Council Money Management should discuss with the Communities on how the Royalties should be spent and instead of them wasting their funds then if they want to play in the AFL they can. What do you mob think eh? I know some people will agree, Another way is to run a NT Lottery themselves and have some of the winnings to support, then there is Art itself could be Auctioned off, we can dom it like this Mr Pratt helping us and offerring his home for Alice Springs mob to use and raise funds what a generous man AFL for all of us thanks Sir, Yours Harold :evil: :evil: :D =D> #-o
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Post by Beaussie »

Where would a potential NT team play? Don't the grounds in Alice Springs and Darwin need some major work to bring them up to AFL standard? It would be great to see an NT team however my concern is the numbers that can be attracted to games when you take into account the small, spead out NT population. SANFL entry seems more logical at this point in time.
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Post by TLPG »

Beau's right, Harold. Marrara is only good for NAB Cup games at the moment. It needs major work and that costs money. Further, the lighting would need to be further improved for more regular home games - and ALL home games would have to be at night (no one in their right mind would play in Darwin at 2pm during the dry season). It would cost heaps in electricity - and the money just isn't there in Darwin to support it.

SANFL is the go. You've got the money for that because you don't need to work on the lights or the ground - leaving you with enough to pay for the lighting for all home games.
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Post by Harold Nayda »

This is good that we have people talking Football on the screen, yes I suppose the SANFL is the best bet but do they want an Alice Springs Team down there, because of the costs involved, 1. With the price of fuel it is going to be expensive for a full team to travel to Adelaide on the plane, so I would think that between the AFL and the SANFL they could purchase a Denning Bus to transport them and the cost of flying the team down would out way the costs. 2 Accommodation down in Adelaide it would Financially benefit to purchase a 4 or 5 Bedroom House to House them then there are costs associated with this especially during winter months, feeding the team of around 30, 3 Then the Players Costs to play and Insurance, especially injuries and costs of Specialists, so overall these things are the worry when setting up a team of Footballers, what a headache, so Mr Pratt is needing help to have his dream team come to fruition so he does not have to be the one to carry the load in financing the Dream Team alone but everyone needs to look at this. So come on you people who have to help this dream come true HELP!!! start to move on this and make it a reality, start talking about it and work toward this goal for our future generations and get the Rascism out of sport here and work toward a Dream for all our KIDS of ethnic Origin, Stop Talking and Start Walking your friend and mine Harold in Alice, getting too old to do things but this I will get up and help Thanks!!!!! :D :) :o #-o :idea:
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Post by Harold Nayda »

Just a short note before I hit the road, is about Marrara, I believe there is roumored that the Stadium is getting a revamp at a enormous costs to us Tax Payers, Just like the Pool here in Alice, But the thing that I would like to Know is where did the $10 million or so go in the Stadium here in Alice and was there anything left over from the Council and the AFL expenses, I felt that the Cricket Association is going to benefit from the amount spent on the Treager Park Oval
you see if I had a say the AFL should have some monies left over for shade around the oval for those who sit out on the lawns around the oval, this would help to increase the spectators, think about it, and also the cold aliminium seats in the new stadium is cold on your butts, and another thing is that when visiting football teams come to our oval the AFL then take it on themselves to shut off the stadium and increase the costs to raise monies to finance other teams coming in to show off their skills and how well they play and also the Canteen at the oval selling hot food not nutritional at all for our people here in the Alice and the costs they charge to eat the shit they serve up, again I have had my say today goodbye Harold. :?: =D> :lol: :!: :idea:
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Post by Beaussie »

Gee, it's amazing when you think about it, just how much it costs to put a footy team on the field. Surely any NT team would have to fly to Adelaide. Imagine a bus trip every second week. :/;

Anyway from what you've pointed out Harold, re: insurance, travel etc, etc, even playing the SANFL is going to be very costly.

As for Treager Park, wasn't the money spent on new lights and the surface?
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Post by Grim Reaper »

Pratt is only doing this to distract himself from the major corporate rip off his company VISY has done out there. Buy chucking in a few crumbs to blackfellas is only trying to make him look like he has a social conscience. This guy is a criminal and the Indigenous people who may be part of this football team should have nothing to do with him.


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